August 26, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Sightseeing Tours
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On our last day in the Stone Mountain area my friend and I did some adventuring off the highway. We went by quad into what is called Moose Lake to do some fishing. In less then an hour we caught three fish. Just some small Dolly Varden, none the less it was exciting. It was my first catch of the summer! We then ventured on up to a creek he referred to as 'Sheep Creek,' who knows what it's really called. We continued through the rock cut, it was spectacular. Sun shining, water flowing, just an all around gorgeous day.
On the way back out my friend pointed out a very old native grave yard, he said it was a resting place for some people who lived in the Wokpash many years ago. It was hard to even notice it as it was on top of a large hill, and you could really only see a few crosses poking out of the hillside.
We ripped along the trails and creek beds, and in the mid-afternoon came about ten feet away from a deer. It was so neat to be up close, kind of scary but I felt fairly safe on a quad.
I took lots of photos of the beautiful wilderness. Being out in these kind of places is such a nice change of scenery. It's especially nice when the weather is good. Exploring by quad made it even more fun, since it allows you to go some places that would otherwise be difficult.
We ended off our day with dinner at the Toad River Lodge, which has always proved to serve delicious home style meals.
This great adventure was only a couple hours up the highway from town, it still amazes me every time I head up that way the grand "back yard" that is available to me.
August 24, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Accommodation
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During the end of July I went up to the Stone Mountain Safaris Lodge for an overnight trip with a friend. This was the first time I'd stayed there, however I had been to the Lodge in May just to stop in and see it. Being a counsellor at the Fort Nelson Visitor Information Centre, our boss thought it was a place we should be familiar with and I completely agree. It is such a wonderful place. The B&B should stand for beautiful & bliss instead.
Leif & Kellie Olsen along with their two charming young children Madison and Bryce run the place. They are excellent hosts, and Kellie is a fabulous cook. Breakfast is included in your stay and lunch and dinner are available upon request.
Their place is located just 6 miles north of the Toad River Lodge, you turn to your right off the highway at the sign and drive another 3.5 miles in.
During our stay we took in the wonderful surroundings and explored the area on a quad we brought up ourselves. We went up the Nonda Creek Radio Tour Road which has amazing views from the top. Approximately 26km in one way. We did this little excursion right after we arrived. When we got back to the house a bit late, Kellie along with some of their other workers were nestled into the living room watching a movie. They were so open and inviting, she pulled us up some chairs, got us a bag of popcorn and told us to relax and watch with them if we so pleased.
As already mentioned Kellie is an awesome cook, we had a delicious breakfast ready for us in the morning. As we were only able to stay for one night we headed out shortly after breakfast to do some more quadding and fishing. But I can't praise enough how delightful the Olsen family's hospitality was. I highly recommend spending a night or more there. You do have to have a reservation to stay there, if you're interested, which how could you not be after reading this, give them a call at 1-250-232-5469.
Please also note that although I am giving a great review of the Stone Mountain Safaris Lodge, there are also other options for you to stay at along this stretch of road. All of which are great accommodations! If you have the time check out as many as you can, and explore each unique section of the Alaska Highway.
..Photo credit goes to my fellow co-worker: Laurisha Bardal, this snap shot is of the front entry of the Lodge. Gorgeous.
August 24, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Camping
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As an intro to my blogs to come on staying up the highway at Stone Mountain Safaris, I thought I would throw together a little pre-trip guide to getting everything you need for camping from the town of Fort Nelson.
So let's start with hunting & fishing licenses, available at both local sporting stores, C.M.P Sports and Wapiti Sporting Goods. C.M.P is on the far side of town as you come in from the Fort St. John end off to the left hand side on the frontage road, right next to the Shannon Motel. Wapiti is in the Fort Hotel Plaza on the corner of 50th Ave N (the frontage road on the right hand side) and 51st Street. Fishing licenses can be bought for 1 day, 8 days, or 1 year. Also note that the prices are different for B.C Residents then International Visitors. Both places carry fishing tackle, line, rods, anything you need for a fishing adventure. For bear safety, you can also pick up bear spray at either location.
Next up food, stock up on groceries at one of the two supermarkets in town, IGA or Overwaitea. Overwaitea is located on airport drive and IGA is just off to your left on the frontage road once again if your coming from the Fort St. John end. There is also quite a few restaurants, mostly located along both sides of the highway on the frontage roads. I always like to grab Subway on my way out of town.
You will want to fill up your mode of transportation here with gas or diesel as prices will, if you can believe it, increase further. There are 5 fuel stations located along the two frontage roads that follow the highway through town. They are Petro Canada, Fort Nelson Husky, Shell Service Station, Fas Gas, and UFA. All rates are fairly similar as we are a small, isolated town. Any prices too significantly cheaper would run all the other stations out of business.
For people with trailers or motorhomes, free Sani-dump and fresh water fill up are available at the Fort Nelson Heritage Museum.
If you want to have some cash on hand when you head out on the highway, stop at one of our three banks: C.I.B.C, Scotia Bank, or North Peace Savings & Credit Union. The Credit Union has a drive through ATM and is located just down the road from the Visitor Information Centre.
Obviously I haven’t covered every single thing you need for a camping trip but definitely touched on some necessities. Always remember warm clothes and rain gear, being cold and wet in the outdoors can be miserable. My mom always says dress with lots of layers, since it is much easier to pull clothes off when your hot and not so easy to put clothes on you don’t have when your cold. Be prepared for the unexpected everyone and most of all enjoy the great outdoors!
August 06, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Fishing
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The fish are plentiful at Muncho Lake this summer, the weekend I went camping up there in June we caught between 10 and 15. You can fish on the lake all over, right of the shore or out in middle. The lodge sells tackle if you run out or forgot to bring extras.
If you want to get even more adventurous then fishing on the grand Muncho Lake, you could take a fly-in fishing trip at the Northern Rockies Lodge. There are over 70 little lakes and streams to choose from. You can catch Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden. They do day trips as well as overnight packages to their outpost log cabins.
To top off all the excitement of catching fish be sure to actually keep one or two and have them for dinner. They taste awesome just cooked in tin foil over the fire, throw some butter, lemon, onion, salt & pepper inside and it's ready to go. Nice and easy as well as delicious!
Happy fishing travellers, and if you are headed up the Alaska Highway be sure to make a stop at Muncho Lake, even if it's only for a few hours. It's gorgeous and well worth the stop.